BJP eyeing BSP’s Dalit vote bank in holy city Haridwar

Haridwar: Complicated social demographics and direct contest between stalwarts have amplified the significance of Haridwar Lok Sabha constituency for political parties in 2014 general elections. Following rifts in Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in the holy city, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has started to rally around the all important Dalit vote bank comprising 20 percent of total population. The Congress is also eyeballing at them.

In an attempt to sneak into the crucial BSP vote bank, BJP has already started to wax lyrical of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, who is considered as the godfather of Dalits. During BJP candidate Nishank’s roadshow in the spiritual city, Dr Ambedkar’s face was put forward vehemently, which is seen as an effort to send a positive signal to Dalit voters.

The sizable presence of castes and sub-castes in Haridwar constituency has convoluted the demographics of this city. Going by the caste-wise survey, around 20 percent voters in the Haridwar constituency are Dalits. It remains to be seen in which direction they will shift in the general elections.

After two BSP legislators in Haridwar were suspended from the party, experts believe that the Dalit vote bank dynamics is thrown off balance here.

With the political circumstances fast changing in Haridwar, both Congress and BJP are ready to pounce upon the indecisive Dalit vote bank.

As Congress is eyeing suspended BSP legislators, BJP seems confident on getting the Dalit voters in their camp, owing to the much-glorified Modi wave. Trying to make most of the puffed up Modi wave, BJP is sending strong positive signals to the Dalits in the constituency.

Missing from the BJP posters and banners so far, Dr Ambedkar has now finally made into the saffron party’s campaign, particularly in Haridwar.

After BJP candidate Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank filed his nomination papers, Dr Ambedkar’s name was extolled largely in his roadshow.

The BSP would use this slogan in their initial days to instil vigour in the party cadre. Now, BJP has tried to amalgamate the same slogan alongside their prime ministerial candidate Modi’s name in a bid to make an impression on Dalit voters this time around.